Intag Solidarity Network—Organizing Packet

Ursula Wynhoven
Integrity Measures
UN Global Compact Office
wynhoven@un.org

Dear Ms. Ursula Wynhoven,

I write to express my concern with recent alleged human rights abuses in the Intag region of Ecuador associated with the presence and operations of Ascendant Copper, a participant in the UN Global Compact. My concern stems from reports of human rights abuses documented in the December 2, 2006 denouncement by the Ecumenical Human Rights Commission (CEDHU), a non-governmental human rights monitor in Quito.

Reports document a number of abuses by individuals associated with Ascendant that are concerning. These acts include (a) a group of men using pepper spray and guns to confront a group of residents from Junin blocking a road, (b) a group of 120 men blocking roads into and out of Junin, (c) the presence of an Ecuadorian Army helicopter charted by Ascendant Copper flying over Junin, (d) the shooting of Israel Perez, a community member, and (e) the beating of several community members by individuals associated with Ascendant. The individuals involved in these acts are reported to work for Empresa Falericorp, a company contracted for agricultural development by Ascendant.

The violence associated with Ascendant’s operations was also documented in reports by Ecuadorian newspapers, including La Hora, (“Convulsión en Intag,” December 7, 2006) and El Comercio (“El Alcalde de Cotacachi hizo denuncias contra empresa minera,” December 5, 2006). The Ecuadorian Ministry of Mines, in a recent letter addressed to Ascendant Copper, also acknowledged the violent confrontations associated with the company in Intag.

“As is publicly known, in the last few days grave confrontations have taken place in the communities within the area of influence of the Junin Mining project, which is under the responsibility of the company you represent, putting at risk the security and integrity of the inhabitants of the area.”

The violence in Intag warrants attention from the Global Compact Office. Ascendant’s on-going provocation of violence in Intag raises questions about the depth of its commitment to the first two principles of the Compact. In addition, I am concerned that Ascendant’s actions challenge the integrity of the Compact. I respectfully ask the Global Compact Office to ask Ascendant Copper to respond to concerns about its involvement in human rights abuses in Ecuador.